Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Every week we sadly see or read about car accidents (often fatal) on the roads in TRNC......it distresses me greatly to see children in cars not strapped in ....either sitting on parents laps or standing between the driver and passenger seat!

Also the number of people on mobile phones seems to be increasing? Some drive around in their big trendy cars driving with one hand on the wheel whilst the other is holding a phone glued to their ear! I understand there may be the odd emergency requiring use of a mobile but.....

I know TRNC police are actively monitoring those speeding or drunk drivers but what about the above? Are there any laws enforcing use of seatbelts or prohibiting use of mobile phones whilst driving?

I agree, having had our car smashed up last week, whilst stationary....by a local, driving recklessly! What never ceases to amaze me is that adults in a car do, on occasion, put their seat belts on, but let the children, as you say, sit on their lap, or stand up. In the case of an accident the child would be straight through the window whilst the parents are safely strapped in!!! They are irresponsible and don't deserve to have children in my view. And don't get me started on the used of mobiles......grrrrrrr

There are laws on both seat belts and the use of mobile phones - but I don't know about rear seat belts or child safety seats.

My pet hate is that nearly everybody here dresses dark clothing at night and even the streets with lights are not well lit - people are almost impossible to see in such circumstances. Last night I was driving into Girne and was forced slightly off the road by an oncoming car - I don't blame him as it was one of the inadequately signed/marked road holes in Lapta that forced him to swerve. To my horror there was a boy about 7 or 8 in front of me dressed completely in black and walking on the very edge of the road - almost on it. If I hadn't been crawling 2 cars behind a dolmus and already started braking, I would have hit him instead of stopping about 1ft short.

Thanks for your responses ...so JBA if there are laws about seatbelts and use of mobile whilst driving why does it appear not to be enforced?

I understand completely the po!ice/military have lots of important issues to deal with ...terrorism as priority of course ....I'm not criticising but simple measures here could reap better results and more importantly SAVE LIVES! An advertising campaign ..... Most will remember the CLUNK CLICK EVERY TRIP!! Would welcome the opportunity to sit down with the Road/Highways safety Minister and talk basics!

No point in asking me!

Years ago, when I used to buy Cyprus Today, there used to be a report on police activities during the past week. That always included a number of fines for 'using mobile phones' and 'not wearing seat belts' - maybe it is still included in the paper. So then, at least, it was (partially?) enforced.

As to your last point, how much Turkish do you speak and how often do you watch local Turkish language tv? There may be ads every night. Recently I have had a terrible problem finding blood and frequently cursed the blood banks here and praised the donor system back in the UK - until a TC friend told me there are adverts nearly every night and occasional 1/2 hour programs trying to persuade people to donate blood. I didn't mention the subject again - some things are just hard for the authorities to change.

With advertising hoardings/ illuminated screens popping up all over the place why can't some of them say, in English and Turkish, Speed Kills, Seat Belt Save Lives etc. Surely if the powers that be were interested in Road Safety they could look into it, or is the revenue from advertising more important.

elizabeth, the nub of the road safety issue in the TRNC is not that people do not know the sensible slogans but that they choose to ignore them. A holistic approach is required involving more rigid driving tests, better ANNUAL vehicle inspections, enforcement of the law and for persistent or very dangerous offenders, custodial sentences, confiscation of vehicles and long bans. It will not happen here, so as the adage goes, "don't sweat the small stuff." Tis just the TRNC way, sadly for the families left behind.

Thanks for all your responses ....all valid points of course!

JBA ... In response to your question whether I speak Turkish......I had Turkish tutor before I came out here two years ago and learned conversational Turkish however now in first months of learning Turkish grammar! I do watch Turkish TV at our neighbours but we have NTV currently! In answer to your query re blood donation and blood banks yes can be big problem.... If you have time and it's a planned operation you can reach out to organisations such as the RBL (Royal British Legion) here in TRNC and/or BRS who could send message out to their members or even reach out on this Forum (I know people who have done so in the past)!

Going back to road safety I will find out who the Minister is and write to him including all your comments .... Yavash yavash ......

Even if there are laws to cover these areas, they are frequently ignored. I think part of the problem is the 'cousinocracy'!

If a ticket is handed out for whatever offence there will be a 'cousin' somewhere who can remove and destroy the offending ticket. Only my opinion of course, but someone told me that his neighbour (a retired policeman) said that if he ever had a traffic problem to let him know and he would fix it. Now, I know that this may be heresay, but it may also have some truth.

Seen lots of people from GB doing things they would not even consider in the UK
Taking their children on their motorbike stood on the foot plate, actually mentioned to Grandmother well he wouldn't do that in the UK, told grandchild likes it and he holds on to handlebars. ummm what about the pot hole in the road?
D&D
Cars do not seem to have indicators here
Not wearing seatbelts in back or front
Waiting near junctions and crossings
not stopping at crossings
and the one I cant believe anyone does is text and facebook!!

This "speed kills" nonsense is perpetrated by the "non drivers" who dither about like Mr Magoo and usually have no road sense or awareness of what is going on around them!!
I see them every day and they are a particular nuisance on motorways.
I'm talking about the UK!!
In TRNC the general standard of driving among locals and others is abysmal!!
On my last visit I was almost t-boned by a lady who was on her mobile as she approached a roundabout where I had right of way. Had I not braked sharply we would have collided.
Driving in TRNC requires immense concentration but I don't see any evidence of that with locals, tourists or expats !!

jonesygirl, your new topic entitled Road Safety in the TRNC is an oxymoron.....emphasis on the "moron" You can never ever go for a pleasant drive out in the country because you can never ever relax for a single moment. Even when stationary at the lights, be prepared for some cretin to drive into the back of you whilst (a) applying makeup (b) texting on their phone (c) busy looking out of the window having a conversation with someone walking down the street or in an adjoining car. Also bear in mind the Transport Minister has admitted that 60% + vehicle drivers have no tax or insurance.